Image Credit: SUBMITTED/sophiecjarvis.com
March 20, 2023 - 6:00 AM
A movie that used the South Okanagan and Similkameen as a backdrop is beginning its theatrical run next week.
Until Branches Bend is the first feature-length film by Sophie Jarvis, a writer and director from Vancouver, who visited the Okanagan often while growing up. It was shot in the Penticton and Keremeos areas, albeit the movie is set in a fictional community.
Her film tells the story of Robin, an employee at a fruit-packing house who struggles to make her voice heard after discovering the early signs of an invasive pest outbreak.
“I liked the idea of how something as small as a tiny bug can have a major impact on the world,” Jarvis said.
Filming took place in 2021 during the “peak of peach season” – which was perfect for a movie involving a fruit cannery. However, it was also a busy wildfire season which resulted in smoky skies.
“Smoky skies kind of had to get incorporated into the film, and it lends to the urgent atmosphere,” she said. “Were just part of the environment were we filming in.”
Jarvis wanted the lead role of Robin to be played by somebody who could make the character their own, and she chose Grace Glowicki.
“Grace is somebody who could take the character beyond what was on the page,” Jarvis said. “After sharing my vision of Robin, I was really curious to see what she’s want to do with it.”
READ MORE: Movie shot in Penticton now streaming on the little screen
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/sophiecjarvis.com
There’s an urgency for Robin to alert others of an outbreak, and while other people create obstacles for her, the humans are not antagonists.
One character who makes it difficult for Robin’s concerns to get taken seriously is her boss Dennis, who’s played by Lochlyn Munro.
“He’s the one most actively in her way.”
But Dennis is just trying to run a tight ship at the cannery.
“Everyone is just doing what they think will be best for the community, trying to act in everyone else’s best interest. It’s not a black and white situation.”
Until Branches Bend will be screening in several theatres across Canada, March 20, and Jarvis will be at the show in Penticton at Landmark Cinemas for a question and answer session with the audience.
It will also be showing at the Landmark Cinemas Grand 10 Kelowna on March 20. And there will be a screening in Salmon Arm at the Classic Cinema on May 27.
The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 10, 2022.
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